The Germans go crazy for asparagus (spargel) this time of year. There, as here, asparagus is a sure sign of spring, or, as the Germans say, asparagus is the “Joy of Spring.” In late May, the Black Forest Inn will devote a menu to asparagus! They serve fresh, local asparagus in as many delicious ways as they can think of. If you aren’t an asparagus lover already, you will be after Spargelfest! Visit Black Forest Inn from May 20th through May 29th during Spargelfest!

Black Forest Inn is pleased to serve the freshest possible asparagus. Their green asparagus is brought to them fresh off the farms by the Southeast Minnesota Food Network, a collaborative effort to change the way southeast Minnesota purchases and consumes food. The participating farms operate under guiding principles of sustainability, land stewardship and fair prices. For more info Southeast Minnesota Food Network.

Keep the fresh vegetables coming! In addition to the asparagus menu, they will have a Grand Prize drawing for a Small Share from Turnip Rock farm. Enjoy a half-bushel box of farm-fresh produce every week for 18 weeks this summer! Convenient drop sites metro-wide. A $415 value! Drawing entries available at the restaurant. Entries taken through May 29. Winner will be drawn May 31. For more info about the farm and their CSA program www.turniprock.com

Fresh vegetables for everyone! On May 27, Black Forest Inn will donate 20% of their food sales to Harvest for the Hungry, a program of The Food Group. Black Forest Inn’s support helps them deliver fresh, local produce to food shelves and meal programs in the Twin Cities. With the money raised, TFG purchases produce from Minnesota and Western Wisconsin farmers. So Harvest for the Hungry both supports local growers and provides fresh produce to hungry families! For more info www.thefoodgroupmn.org